For
Borini, there was the chance to perform his ‘cut-throat’ celebration
at Anfield for the first time, and already he has provided evidence it may be a fitting metaphor for his goal-scoring skills.

The fans will certainly hope so, because Liverpool have desperately lacked a forward with that deadly instinct for at least two seasons.

Rodgers, at least, believes he is the man to unlock the Reds’ attacking force.

“I
brought Fabio here because I know he can score goals," said Rodgers, who was at Chelsea with Borini and also took him on loan at Swansea.

"He’s only young and still has a lot to learn but he’s got great energy, you can see his work rate and his commitment, and he has some wonderful movement.

“You can see the combination with Luis Suarez, whose brightness and combinations with Steven and
with Fabio coming made us a real potent attacking force.”

Perhaps
a game against a fairly ordinary Eastern European side isn’t the best in which to judge him, but Borini certainly has something about him; impressive and intelligent movement, endless energy and a hunger around the box.

He also has the massive advantage of understanding the system he is being asked to operate in, which is something of a rarity for Liverpool signings in recent seasons.

His finish was impressive - a fierce, if deflected, shot that found the corner of the net after brilliant work by Suarez to give him a goal on his Anfield debut and prompt that famous dagger-between-the-teeth celebration.

John Powell

Back to work: Suarez was straight into the fray after playing at the Olympics

Yet
perhaps more impressive was the desire he showed in what was, let’s face it, not the most glamorous of games.

He linked brilliantly too with Suarez, the movement of the Italian a perfect foil for the vision of the Uruguayan, and though again the quality of opposition qualifies any prediction, it seems a hugely promising combination.

Not that the partnership between Suarez and Gerrard is bad either.

The two have always been on the same wavelength, and showed their understanding again
when Gerrard was fed brilliantly after sublime skills from his team-mate to convert into the empty net.

Allen must have been impressed with some of Liverpool’s passing and movement, which already shows signs of developing the slick style Rodgers will ultimately demand.

The Liverpool manager also praised Suarez, who signed signed a long-term contract extension earlier this week after an instant return following Uruguay's elimination from the Olympics.

"Luis is an incredible player," said Rodgers. "He has come back to us and looked great in training.

"He is so creative in the box but he also presses very well when he doesn't have the ball.

"He is the type of player I love. He is in love with football. He has such passion for the game."

Daniel Agger made an important contribution through the 90 minutes, and Rodgers again insisted he doesn’t want to sell the Danish defender to Manchester City.

“You can see Daniel is the type of player I like, who can step out and use the ball," he said. "I don’t have a comment to make because I don’t want to sell him - you can see how important he can be in our side.”